quick clicks

babies today articles

babies today q&a

toddlers today articles

toddlers today q&a

breastfeed.com articles

breastfeed.com q&a

message boards

research baby names

prepare a birth plan

content channels

ip channel rss feeds

read birth stories

read parenting stories

recommended books

e-newsletters

safety recalls

ip diaries

ip store

mom of the month

dad of the month

editor's letter

letters to the editor

Is Your Sandbox Safe from Roundworm?

Preventing Roundworm Infestation in Small Children

By Teri Brown

Dr. Carol Steltenkamp, a pediatrician at University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center, says there are two common types of roundworm infestation in the United States. These include Ascaris lumbricoides and Enterobius vermicularis (pinworms).

"Different roundworms end up in different parts of the gut," Dr. Steltenkamp says. "Ascaris is transmitted hand to mouth; the fingers are contaminated by soil contact. Eating contaminated raw food is another possible route of transmission. Children may be infected with pinworms by ingesting eggs, which are usually carried on fingernails, clothing, bedding or house dust."

Ascaris infestation is very common in puppies and kittens and can be transmitted to humans by defecating in the soil where young children play. Cats are quite fond of using sandboxes as outdoor litter boxes, so this is a very common way to transmit the eggs to children's hands.

Once the eggs are in the system they hatch and migrate to various parts of the body, including the respiratory system.

The symptoms of roundworm infestation depend on the type of roundworm with which the child is infected. Pinworms cause very few symptoms other than intense itching around the rectum and loss of sleep. Other types of roundworms may cause wheezing, coughing, abdominal pain, vomiting or restless sleep. One type of roundworm, toxicariasis, a roundworm passed from dogs to humans through te ingestion of egg-infested soil, can even migrate to the eyes, causing blindness.

Want to see more?

• One Child Too Many: Preventing Bacterial Meningitis
• Group B Streptococcus: How It Affects Mom and Baby
• Poison on the Playground: Should Parents Be Concerned About Treated Wood?
• Check out our Article Library.
• Talk about it!

Post As:
Enter your comment below:
Title
Comment Text
CAPTCHA
Please note that any comments submitted become the property of Disney Family / iParenting and can be edited and posted at our discrection.